Animal-trap.



No. 639,3m

(No Model.)

, J. Br. sTouT. VNIMAL TRAP,

(Application filed Jixne'Q, 1899.

Ptented Dec. I9, |899.

UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. STOUT, OF STEWARTS POINT, CALIFORNIA.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 639,310, dated December 19, 1899. Application filed .Tune 9 1899. Serial-No. 719,997. (No model.)

T all, whom, 'llt may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN B. STOUT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stewarts Point, in the county of Sonoma and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal-Traps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same', reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification,

The invention relates generally to the construction of mirrors to adapt them for particular uses, and has for its special purpose to make one which may be combined with traps for the purpose of catching animals, as hereinafter described.

The drawing is an elevation showing the mirror in vertical diametrical section and supported upon a driven stake.

In the drawing, A represents the mirror, which is tubular and of any preferred shape, but so constructed that no matter from what direction the animal approaches it the bait will be distinctly apparent, and below it the image of itself. The upper portion ct of the tube, where hangs the bait, is made with v closed or integral top and perfectly transparent, While the remainder is silvered4 over in the usual way to make a mirror. The neck or chamber @may be provided with the groove ct', so that it may be suspended from any suitable support by any flexible connection,while the bottom is open and may be provided with an interior horizontal flange CL2, so that it may set securely upon a level.

In practice I arrange the mirror upon a driven stake, as shown in the drawing, and surround it with steel traps placed at slight intervals apart and not very far therefrom. No matter from what direction the animal comes it will be attracted by the sight of the bait and of its own image. Seeing these the most cunning of animals will approach closely from curiosity and to secure the bait. In fact, I am very doubtful if it would not'do so without a bait, as the curiosity exhibited by an animal under such circumstances is something very remarkable. The traps are so arranged that one or another will be certain to catch the animal before it can reach the mirror. i

`What I claim as new is- A circular mirror having a bait-stopper and transparentchamber at the top, an inwardlyflanged open `bot-tom, and a grooved neck as shown, whereby it may be used in connection with animal-traps as described.,

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. STOUT.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL J. KEE, GRACE B. RICHARDSON. 

